The Devil in Me

Without a Doubt, I'm on Your Side

The chapter title is from the song:

I'll Follow You by Shinedown.

The remainder of the Christmas break was busy. Draco was huffy, and Harry had a lot to get done in a short space of time. Malfoy Manor was bustling with Death Eaters trying to weigh in on the glory and find the Lestrange brothers too.

All the comings and goings were unsettling Amalthea, and Tom seemed to be itching to get out from under the Malfoys feet and into Peverell House, but as of yet, it was still unhabitable for a baby. It needed a properly rain-tight roof and hot running water for a start.

One icy morning, Draco cornered Harry on his way out of the door, "Where are you going dressed like that?"

Harry cast his gaze over his outfit – grey trousers with a matching waistcoat over a white shirt, topped off with a dark grey, fur-lined cloak.

He raised an eyebrow at Draco, "The bank."

Draco's eyes widened in realisation, "The only reason you'd be going to the bank dressed like that is if you were meeting with a senior goblin to consolidate your estate."

"Three guesses how I'm spending my morning then," Harry said, shooting his friend an amused look and slipping out of the manor.

He apparated to Diagon Alley as soon as he was clear of Malfoy Manor's wards, and when he stepped out of the narrow close that most people used to apparate into, Daphne was waiting for him. She looked more like the aristocratic pureblood she truly was than he had ever seen. At school, she wore her uniform or in the common room; she lounged around in Slytherin jumpers and jeans. At events like midsummer and yule, she wore pretty dresses, but today, she looked the part of the Ice Queen.

Daphne was wearing tight-fitting black trousers, a white blouse and a dark grey full-length coat. But it was what she wore on her feet that amused him – he could only describe them as skyscraper heels, and at the best of times, she wasn't much shorter than him, so those would definitely make her taller.

Harry chuckled when he reached her, "You look the part," he said, a fond smile coming to his face.

Daphne flipped her hair back – she had kept it down, and as they usually were when they weren't in school – her lips were cherry red. Come to think of it; Harry had a thing about girls with red lipstick.

"You invited me to Gringotts for the most important meeting of your life," Daphne pointed out, hooking her arm through his, "The least I can do is look the part."

"And help me out if I start getting lost," Harry said with a grin.

They fell into step together as they walked down the alley towards the bank, "How was your Christmas?" Harry asked conversationally.

Daphne's smile faltered, "It was okay. Astoria still isn't…I don't know if she will ever be okay, Harry. My father warned me that it might be up to me to provide him with a Greengrass heir. I would rather he un-disowned Lydia, but as he quite rightly pointed out, we are a powerful family, and if the main line continues through a squib line, we will lose that power."

"Hm," Harry agreed, "Through you and I, though? It would remain just as powerful."

"If not more so," Daphne agreed.

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to Astoria before we got to Longbottom Grove?"

Daphne sighed and glanced around to make sure nobody else was listening, but they were alone in the quiet alley.

"That madwoman tortured her for information," Daphne said, "She wasn't supposed to; she was just supposed to hold her there as a trap, according to Lydia. Mind you; she doesn't know the ins and outs of it because she's with the Order, not the Army."

Harry nodded.

"But Augusta Longbottom and Molly Weasley thought better," Daphne said, her voice dripping with venom, "So they used the cruciatus curse on her time and time again to get her to tell the family secrets, or to tell them how to get my father on board."

Harry's jaw set, "The cruciatus curse? She's fifteen!"

Daphne swallowed and nodded.

Harry had survived it earlier than that – he'd been 14 the first time Voldemort had used it on him, but it had been for a relatively short time and not multiple times in quick succession.

"So is she…" Harry faltered, "…is the problem in her head?"

Daphne nodded, "She flinches every time someone walks by her. We can only get her to occasions like yule by pumping her full of anti-anxiety potions beforehand. She suffers for it the next day with panic attacks; she hyperventilates. She won't eat; my mother has to force-feed her. It's like she's just lost the will to live."

Harry thought of the Longbottoms and felt incredibly sorry for Astoria. He supposed there might be some hope for her because only Augusta had cast the curse. But how had she inflicted that pain on a 15-year-old girl? When she had lost her son and his wife to the same damn spell?

The Longbottoms, Harry had discovered while learning more about dark magic from Gus, had suffered not because of how many times the spell had been used on them but because of how many people had cast it at once. The Lestrange brothers, Bellatrix and Barty Crouch Junior, all four in unison, had hit them in turn with a powered-up torture curse; it was no wonder their brains had been fried.

Gus had explained to Harry that spells were more powerful if cast in unison, and he had stored that piece of knowledge in his head, ready to use in battle. Not that he had needed to yet, he had never really fought alongside someone else.

"She has a loving family behind her and a father who will get her the best help possible," Harry said, removing his hand from Daphne's arm so he could reach down and take her hand.

Daphne intertwined her fingers through his, "Father is taking her in turn to the best Healers he knows around the world."

Harry smiled, "So there's hope for her. If we don't give up, then I'm sure she won't either."

Daphne smiled warmly at him as they walked into the bank together. They made their way through the rows of busy goblins until they reached the desk.

Harry pulled out his required paperwork and placed it in front of the goblin, "Harry Potter. I have a meeting about my estate."

The goblin looked at Harry curiously then signed the bottom of the paper. He gave a curt nod, "Room One, Mr Potter."

Harry and Daphne walked into the required room and sat down opposite another goblin.

"Good morning Mr Potter," the goblin began, "I am Gornuk."

"Gornuk?" Harry asked in surprise.

The goblin looked up, "You have heard of me?"

"Yeah, you're the goblin who beheaded the banshee," Harry said with a grin, "Great job, I'm a big fan of your work."

The goblin smirked and motioned to the two seats opposite the desk, "Would you and your betrothed like to take a seat so that we can begin?"

Daphne raised an eyebrow at Harry, but he murmured in her ear as he pulled her chair out, "Just go with it, trust me."

Gornuk opened up a large charter and began.

"Mr Riddle has convinced the bank that you are to be granted all of the property and land, title inclusive, that was taken from your family upon your grandfather, Fleamont Potter's, death in 1978."

Harry nodded, trying not to smirk at the wide-eyed look on Daphne's face. He deliberately hadn't told her about Tom's Christmas bonus.

"The bank has held this for two decades, so it has been well looked after, of course."

"Of course," Harry agreed smoothly.

"The Potter Manor in Somerset does remain something of a ruin," Gornuk continued, "But it was so when it fell into our hands due to the attack on the manor that killed your grandparents."

Harry nodded; he knew that Death Eaters had killed his grandparents.

"In terms of vaults – up until now, you have only had access to your trust fund vault, but as you are now of age, you are entitled to enter the family vault."

"I will take a look at the vault once we have sorted out the paperwork," Harry assured Gornuk.

"Very well," Gornuk said, flipping over a page in his charter.

"In terms of land – you still have access to the home in Godric's Hollow, should you wish to restore it?"

Harry shook his head, "I'll sign it over to the bank. You can do whatever you wish with it."

Gornuk slid a scroll of parchment over to him, but before Harry could unroll and sign it, Daphne placed her hand on his, "Are you sure?"

Harry turned to look at her for a moment.

"It was your parents home. Don't you want to return to it before it is sold to the bank?" Daphne asked quietly.

"My parents died there, Daphne," Harry said, unrolling the scroll, "It was where they were killed by the man I now follow. Why would I ever want to return?"

With a nod, Daphne said, "I just wanted you to be sure before you signed."

Harry scrolled his signature onto the parchment and pushed it back over to Gornuk. He smiled over at the blonde girl and said, "And I appreciate that."

Gornuk ignored the exchange, as goblins tended to do where exchanges of human emotion were involved.

"The terraced house in Kendal Street, London," Gornuk said, sliding over another scroll, "Currently in possession of the Malfoy family. I believe it was part of your Great Aunt Elladora's dowry, but the head of the Malfoy family has prepared this document to gift it back to you."

Harry smiled slightly, Lucius wasn't a fan of public gestures, but Harry appreciated this small token all the same. He signed the scroll and handed it back to Gornuk.

"Potter Cottage in Essex is currently in the hands of the Vane family," Gornuk informed him, "It was passed down the secondary line until the name died out when Juniper Potter married into the Vane family. You could make a case to-"

"No," Harry cut in, "We have enough, leave it with the Vane family."

There was nothing to sign for on that one, so Gornuk continued, "The remaining properties are the ones that have remained in the care of the bank. All will require is a signature to hand them back over to the head of the family."

Harry nodded his quill at the ready.

"Potter House in Highgate, London."

Harry signed the scroll and slid it back, and this was the case for: Potter Ranch in New South Wales, Australia; The Retreat in Auckland, New Zealand; The Lodge in Nova Scotia, Canada; The Pottery, a townhouse in Virginia, America and Potter Heights, a penthouse in New York City.

If Daphne was impressed, she didn't let on. Harry suspected it was equal or lesser to the amount of land her family held anyway.

"And of course, there is the townhouse "Serenite" in Vienne, France," Gornuk finished, "Which was gifted to the Potter family in 1921 upon the marriage of Fleamont Potter and Euphemia Greengrass."

Harry looked over at Daphne, "I forgot we were related."

Daphne nodded, "Euphemia was my great aunt and your grandmother, so we are second cousins."

"Well, I did want to feel like a proper pureblood," Harry said, shooting her an amused look.

Daphne chuckled, "We aren't as bad as the Blacks, don't worry."

"Ah, yes," Harry said, looking at Gornuk, "Speaking of the Blacks. There is also the matter of my Godfather, Sirius Black's vault. Upon his death, I was named as his heir, but I have not yet seen the contents of his vault."

"The Black family vault is a simple one," Gornuk replied, "It contains a great deal of money, and an adoption contract left for you by your godfather. It is bereft of valuables because the Black family, rather foolishly in our opinion, opted to keep their valuables on display to impress friends at dinner parties. Had they kept them under lock and key with us, they would have been far better protected."

"Well, they were a vain bunch," Harry remarked, "The adoption contract - I assume that is to enable me to be proclaimed the heir to the house officially?"

"Indeed. Without a valid blood connection, the title of heir would fall to the next in line."

Harry looked over at Daphne, "It's too much, isn't it?"

Daphne seemed to be thinking it over, the cogs in her head whirring, "Three children…"

"Three boys," Harry corrected, "Three heirs – Potter, Black, Greengrass."

"Not necessarily," Daphne pointed out, "The Dark Lords Marriage Law allows the family name to continue down a female line, taking the pressure off a little."

Gornuk bowed his head, "A very sensible move, indeed."

Harry nodded, "So you want me to take the title?"

"It's up to you, Harry," Daphne said honestly.

"We don't need it," Harry said, tapping his fingers against the desk.

"No, and if you don't take it, it will fall to Lily," Daphne agreed.

"And by extension, Tom, assuming that works out long-term," Harry mused, "Which I think it will."

Daphne nodded her agreement.

"And all Tom has is Peverell House," Harry added, "I know he's not the most materialistic person in the world, but he would get the Black title if he married Lily."

"Do you think he would?"

"I don't know, maybe?"

Daphne raised an eyebrow at him, "I think the conclusion we're coming to is that we should give them the benefit of the doubt and let Lily take what is rightfully hers."

Harry nodded and turned to Gornuk, "I will relinquish my claim to the Black family estate."

With an amused smirk, Gornuk slipped a scroll of parchment over to him. Harry signed it, then took Daphne's hand once more.

Gornuk shuffled all the paperwork into a pile then vanished it with a click of his fingers. He climbed down from his chair and looked at the 'couple'.

"To the Potter family vault, then?"

"Indeed," Harry replied.

Harry and Daphne didn't talk while the cart whizzed them to the depths of the bank at high speed.

When they reached the high-security vaults, Harry took Daphne's hand and helped her out of the cart. Then Gornuk unlocked the Potter family vault, and Harry stepped in, with no real idea of what he would find.

Golden galleons and gold bars were stacked along the walls, but several family heirlooms decorated the vault too – there were goblets, expensive silver plates, the usual things. But then there was a shield, decorated with rubies with Godric Gryffindor's crest, and a crystalised diamond skull that looked human enough that it unnerved Harry.

He tried not to show his awe, he didn't want to look too green to Daphne, but he had heard the intake of breath she had tried to hide when they walked into the vault.

Ignoring the heirlooms, Harry walked over to a large safe at the back. He frowned and concentrated – Narcissa had told him it was a magical safe and that he would know the passcode if he cleared his mind and thought about it.

Surely enough, a number popped into his head and Harry used the twist dial to enter it. There was a click, so Harry opened the door and smiled when he saw drawer upon drawer inside it. He opened the top one, which should have contained the newer items in theory, and he knew he was right when he saw the exact thing he had been looking for.

He carefully pulled it from the drawer and got to his feet.

Daphne had stayed close to the vault door while Harry ventured in. He walked up to her and smiled, "I found what I was looking for."

Daphne frowned, looking around the vault, "Let me guess, the shield?"

"No," Harry chuckled. He opened his hand and showed her the ring that lay in the palm of it. It was silver, inlaid with a large blue stone that was encompassed by diamonds.

Daphne's eyes widened, "Harry…"

"It's what you deserve, Daphne, and you know it," Harry said, an easy smile coming to his lips, "Veela made silver, a rare ice blue sapphire and flawless diamonds. It was my Grandmother Euphemia's engagement ring. My grandfather had it custom made in France for her, to remind her of her homeland, so it's only right that you should wear it too."

Daphne stared at the ring in awe, "But then this means you were serious on the Winter Solstice?"

Harry nodded, his eyes meeting hers hesitantly for the first time, "I was. And if you agree formally, by wearing this ring, I'll arrange a meeting with your father before we go back to school."

Daphne didn't know what to say. Her mind whirred at a million miles an hour as she tried to process it, but then eventually, without her brain agreeing with her mouth, she nodded and said, "Yes."

Harry let out a sigh of relief and took her hand. He slid the ring on, prepared to do a sizing charm to ensure that it fit, but as it turned out, he didn't need to.

"It fits perfectly," Daphne breathed.

Harry chuckled, "Maybe there is such a thing as destiny after all," he joked.

Daphne smiled and leant forward to kiss him on the cheek, "Thank you," she said softly.

"No, thank you," Harry returned, taking her hand and intertwining her fingers through his own.

Harry led her out of the vault where Gornuk was waiting.

When they climbed into the cart, he turned to look at his fiancé.

"Lunch in London before we go to our respective homes?"

Daphne's smile widened, "That sounds perfect."

"You're back late," Draco commented the minute Harry walked into the manor.

Harry rolled his eyes, "Sorry, Dad. Do I need to get my house restored, so you stop waiting up for me?"

Draco gave him an exasperated look, "It doesn't take five hours to deal with paperwork at the bank. Not even the Potters have that much property."

Harry gave him an amused look, "No, it took three hours, Draco."

"What were you doing for the other two then?"

At that point, Narcissa stepped out of the dining room with Amalthea in her arms. She gave Harry a knowing look and asked, "How did it go?"

Harry grinned, "She said yes, but I think I owe most of that to you and the tip you gave me about Euphemia's engagement ring."

Draco's eyes widened, "You proposed to Daphne?"

"Merlin, Draco," Harry muttered, "You're like my brother, and I love you, but sometimes you are really dense."

A deep laugh sounded as Lucius strode down the stairs then, "She said yes then, I assume?"

Draco rolled his eyes, "Am I the only person in this house who didn't know about this?"

"Yes, I believe you are," Tom's voice called from the library.

"I only knew because Tom told me five minutes ago, to be fair!" Lily's voice followed.

"You're a terrible best friend," Draco muttered, glaring at Harry.

Harry chuckled and looked at Lucius once more, "Thank you for giving me the house in London."

Lucius brushed this off, of course, by shrugging and saying, "Ah, of course. It means nothing to us. We have another four."

Narcissa gave him a slightly amused, knowing look but said nothing.

"I have to meet with Cygnus Greengrass tonight. I've been invited over for supper, which is a guise for the fact he's going to question me senseless about my intentions with his daughter," Harry remarked.

"Subtly perform a diagnostic charm on anything you are given to drink," Lucius said, "I wouldn't put it past Cygnus not to slip you veritaserum."

"I would have done anyway, but thank you for the heads up," Harry said with an amused smile, "Oh Draco, have you spoken to Tom about Sadie yet?"

Draco's eyes widened, "I hadn't even decided if I was going to! It was just an idea when you and I sounded it out the other night."

"Well, now it's an idea that's happening," Harry said matter of factly, "Come on."

With another roll of his eyes, Draco followed Harry into the library where Tom was sitting at a desk with at least five books open. Lily was sitting close by in the window seat, her legs drawn up under her and blanket loosely draped over her as she thumbed through a book.

"What did you wish to speak with me about, Draco?" Tom asked without looking up.

Draco's lips were suddenly dry, "Well, my lord, I had thought that maybe Sadie Cauldwell would benefit from going back to Hogwarts."

Tom frowned, "Who would this benefit?"

"Well, her, of course," Draco stumbled, "Because she feels imprisoned, and it would be better for her to be imprisoned in a castle where she could potentially make friends."

"Or where she could betray us to the light," Tom drawled.

Draco's cheeks flushed, "I am aware that is a risk, my lord. But were she to be closely monitored to ensure she did not mix with such people, I think sending her back could be beneficial. We are keeping her here because she is the last of her line, but she is more likely to betray us because we hold her captive. Perhaps if we give her a little freedom and show her mercy, she will be more inclined to take our stance?"

Tom hummed and tapped his fingers against his desk, "Perhaps. In any case, it is a better idea than keeping her locked in the manor. She may return to school, but she is your responsibility, Draco."

Tom looked Draco in the eye, "If she betrays us to the light, it is on your head. If she escapes, it is on your head. If she kills herself out of spite, it is on your head."

"Yes, my lord," Draco said, nodding fervently.

"While I may be present at Hogwarts, I have far more important things to do than babysit a little girl," Tom said disdainfully.

Little girl, Harry thought, she's the same age as Lily, and I've seen the things you do to her.

Tom's eyes flickered over to Harry. Quiet unless you want to limp into your meeting with your betrothed's father tonight?

No, definitely not, Harry thought back.

"She will be placed back in Slytherin house," Tom informed Draco, "Keep an eye on her at all times. You remember my threat last year when I tasked you with killing Dumbledore?"

Draco paled and nodded.

"The threat remains the same for this task," Tom said dryly.

"Yes, my lord."

Harry clapped his hands together, "See, Draco? That went swimmingly, didn't it? I'm going to wash up before my supper with the Greengrass's, and then I'll talk to Sadie about her new home because the last time you tried, she threw you off a balcony."

Lily snorted, and Draco glared at Harry, "I hate you."

"No, you don't!" Harry said in a sing-song voice as he jogged up the stairs.

Upon his first visit to Greengrass House, which oddly enough was a stone through away from Little Whinging, where he had grown up, Harry couldn't decide if the grand stately home was impressive or intimidating.

Its size was definitely intimidating – it was a long building of only two-storeys. At each end were circular tower-like wings without the actual tower part. Ascending from the centre of the house was a timber clock-tower.

The house was beautiful - orange-stone, crawling with ivy, white sash windows, double mahogany oak doors. It appeared to be as old as Malfoy, Nott or Rosier Manor, but that made sense because the Greengrass family was one of the oldest ones in British wizarding history. The current line initially descended from a younger son who had left France before the Norman invasion to escape his family's enormous shadow in his native country. However, that main line died out, partly due to the Hundred Years War, and Daphne's ancestors became the heirs to the original French estates.

Harry knew that traditionally, the eldest daughter was educated at Beauxbatons in keeping with the French tradition as had been the case with his grandmother, Euphemia Greengrass-Potter.

He knew that Lydia hadn't been, but Daphne hadn't told him why. He presumed it had something to do with the secrecy around her birth. All the same, surely Daphne would then have been next in line to be educated in France, so Harry decided he would have to ask her about that sometime.

Harry knocked on the door and smiled politely at the elf who ushered him in. True to the exterior – Greengrass House was just as impressive on the inside. The entrance hall had a high roof and was adorned with solid wood floors and deep blue carpets. There was a staircase straight ahead and a balcony around three out of four walls. A large silver chandelier hung above his head, and to his right was a massive Christmas tree decorated with fairies.

He smiled slightly – despite its grandeur, it felt warm, unlike Malfoy Manor.

"Good evening, Lord Potter."

Harry looked up and saw Cygnus on the balcony. He bit back a snort; no wonder he and Lucius are such good friends; they are as dramatic as each other.

An unexpected thought floated his way from Tom. They are purebloods, Harry. You will soon learn that they are all like that. If you had only met Abraxas Malfoy, there has never been a more materialistic, dramatic aristocratic man on this earth, I am sure. Lucius is, by far, the toned-down version of his father. After all, it was not Lucius who introduced the peacocks to Malfoy Manor.

Harry tried to hide his amusement, "Good evening, Lord Greengrass," he said.

Cygnus, furthering Harry's opinion that he was a drama queen, tapped the railing in front of him with his wand. Instantly a staircase extended, and Cygnus walked down it importantly.

Harry wasn't quite sure what to say, but thankfully someone else said it for him.

"Would it have been too much of an effort to round the corner and come down the permanent stairs, Father?"

Anything Harry had been thinking about saying died on his lips when he saw Daphne. She was wearing a full-length black dress which was relatively low cut and had thin straps covering her shoulders. The dress was adorned with silver thread that seemed to glitter and shine magically, like the hair of a Veela. It probably was Veela hair.

Her hair was half-up, half-down and lightly curled, her lips were cherry red, and her bare arms were decorated with jewellery Harry had never seen before – they were bracelets or armlets that looked like silver snakes, but their heads moved like real snakes.

She smirked at him as she walked down the stairs, "I told you I had nicer dresses here, remember?"

Harry nodded and smiled at her, "You weren't kidding."

Daphne chuckled, but before any more could be said, Lareina followed her down the stairs with a black lace and silk shawl in her hands. She gave it to Daphne, along with a scolding look and signed, " Cover up, young lady."

Harry bit back a chuckle as Daphne put the shawl on and rolled her eyes at Harry.

"Good evening, Lady Greengrass," Harry signed.

Lareina looked just as lovely as Daphne if a little more reserved. She wore a deep blue, long-sleeved silk dress with a similar cloak. She smiled broadly and kissed Harry on both cheeks, then signed, "Thank you for coming. Did you have a nice Christmas?"

Harry signed back, "Lovely, thank you. Is Astoria joining us for supper?"

Lareina shook her head, an anxious look in her eyes, "No, I am afraid she does not feel up to it."

"Would it be okay if I talked to her later?" Harry signed, "After I was tortured in my fourth year, then lost my godfather the following year, I went through something similar. I may be able to help?"

Lareina looked at Cygnus, who gave a single nod. She then turned back to Harry and smiled, "Of course. Thank you for caring enough to try."

Harry just smiled in response. Cygnus motioned towards an open door to the left of the entrance hall, "Shall we?"

"Of course," Harry said, holding out his arm for Daphne.

She smiled and hooked hers through it. While they walked into the dining room, she murmured, "Don't let him put you off too much. My mother has already talked him around."

Harry chuckled and glanced sideways at her, "I'm used to negotiating with the Dark Lord; I can handle your father," he promised.

They got to the table, and Harry pulled out Daphne's chair for her then stood next to her until Cygnus sat down. Once he had, he and Daphne took their seats, Cygnus clicked his fingers to signal the elves to send up the first course, and the small talk began.

It was all relatively simple over dinner – Cygnus asked what Harry planned to do in the future, and he said he was between a few careers at the moment, but his projected grades for his N.E.W.T's would allow him to do any of them.

Lareina had asked, via sign language, of course, if he intended to restore Potter Manor as his primary residence, and he said that he did. Both of these answers seemed to please the Greengrass's, and Harry could tell that they were digging to make sure he was good enough for their daughter.

He knew it had gone well when, after supper, Cygnus smiled politely at him and said, "Harry, would you care to accompany me to the smoking-room?"

Daphne hid a smirk, and Harry smiled, "I would love to, Cygnus."

As they left, Daphne signed to her mother, "Daddy is calling him Harry. He must approve."

Lareina signed back, "You know that he does, darling."

The smoking room was small but impressive. It was decorated in Slytherin green and white, with a large feature fireplace at its centre. Cygnus closed the door behind them when they stepped inside and walked towards a drinks cabinet, "Firewhiskey?"

"Yes, please," Harry replied.

Cygnus handed him his drink in a crystal glass, and they sat down in armchairs by the fire.

"I must say, Cygnus, your house is beautiful," Harry admitted.

Cygnus chuckled, "It is, rather, isn't it? Lucius always says that it is pretty but not authentic. It was only re-built in the late 19th century after much of the original building was destroyed in a rather unfortunate fire, not like Malfoy Manor, which has survived mostly intact for centuries."

"That makes sense. Especially considering that your interests were in France for a long time while the Malfoy's have always been most prominent in England. You still hold a family seat in France, do you not?"

Cygnus seemed impressed at his knowledge. He nodded, "Yes, we do. If you are to become affiliated with the family, you will visit Greengrass Manor. It is in Aquitaine. The site of this house was once a castle and our stronghold. We lost it in the 13th century and relocated to France for a time."

"And when you came back a hundred years later, you did so with a vengeance," Harry said with a smile.

Cygnus smirked, "Indeed. Now, shall we talk about the real reason that you are here – the proposal?"

"Hm," Harry agreed, "We ought to."

Cygnus bowed his head, "You proposed to Daphne, and she has provisionally agreed. If we are to make it official, it will take my agreement and a written contract of marriage."

Harry nodded, "The terms of which are debatable, I understand."

Cygnus was silent for a moment, "My daughter and my wife are under the impression that you are the 'full' package. You have land, title, wealth, but Daphne assures me that you would also make a good husband."

Harry smiled slightly, "How considerate of her."

Cygnus did not laugh, "You speak sign language, you seem to care for Astoria's welfare as much as Daphne's, and from the pertinent questions you have asked Daphne about Lydia, you also seem to care for her welfare."

Harry gave a single nod.

"You are polite, despite not being raised by your pureblood relations, and you observe and respect all pureblood traditions," Cygnus continued.

"If it were not for the snake on your arm and your questionable moral compass, you would be perfect."

"You object to my more militant cultural views," Harry said.

Cygnus looked Harry in the eye, "You do not simply agree with the Dark Lords views, as I do. You are his weapon, a soldier."

"True," Harry agreed, "And I have killed people if that is where this is going?"

"You are dangerous," Cygnus said, "I am under no illusion of that, but I do fear that Daphne is."

"Trust me, your daughter is more astute than you believe," Harry promised, "When I danced with her at Yule, I tried to scare her away, but she told me that she knew exactly who I was and that she was walking into this with her eyes wide open."

Cygnus didn't look convinced, so Harry continued.

"I wrestle with my moral conscience every day, trying to decide if I am a good person or a bad person. Trying to decide if the bad things I did are justified because of the ultimate good that came of them, but it was your daughter who told me not to be too hard on myself because sometimes good people do bad things for the right reason."

Cygnus sighed and sipped his firewhiskey, "You can drink, you know."

"I know," Harry agreed, placing his glass on the side table, "But as it is laced with veritaserum, I would rather not."

"You knew?" Cygnus asked in surprise.

"I live under the roof of Lucius Malfoy," Harry said, smiling in amusement, "I know all of your tricks. I will not be forced into telling the truth, but I would like you to have faith and believe me when I say that I have not lied to you once this evening."

"Lucius has done a number on you," Cygnus said, amusement glinting in his eyes, "You are more like him than his own son."

"Well, Draco has always been more of a Black than a Malfoy, in my opinion," Harry mused.

"Indeed," Cygnus remarked, "Narcissa and I were something of friends a long time ago."

Harry knew what he was referring to – how Narcissa had almost married Cygnus before she ended up with Lucius. But he thought it was best not to bring that up.

"Draco does rather remind me of Narcissa," Cygnus finished. He tapped his fingers against his side table then sighed.

"I see no reason why you cannot marry Daphne, and she certainly seems keen on the idea."

Harry bit back a grin.

"So it seems that a contract needs to be drawn up," Cygnus finished.

He clicked his fingers, opening a drawer in the desk on the other side of the room. He levitated a scroll of parchment, a pair of quills, and an inkpot over, then used a spell that dictated what he said onto the parchment.

"Of course, the main topic of discussion will be Daphne's dowry," Cygnus said, his eyes on Harry, "What would you wish of me?"

"Honestly? Nothing," Harry admitted, "I just want Daphne."

Cygnus smiled slightly, "And while I commend your Gryffindor spirit. You must think like the Slytherin you truly are. You must remember that the terms of this contract will inevitably become public knowledge, and if it is discovered that I did not pay any dowry for my daughter, it would suggest that there is something wrong with her and thus de-value her."

"I am aware," Harry said with a smirk, "But you simply asked me what I wanted from you, and the truth is 'nothing'. I vowed to tell you the truth, and that is it. I will accept whatever we deem necessary through this negotiation, but I truly want nothing. I know that Daphne is, without a doubt, the most sought after heiress of our generation, and I would not have any slight on her honour."

"I am glad that you appreciate the situation," Cygnus said smoothly, "A house is usually included in a dowry between two families as cash-rich as ours. I believe your family acquired a lovely townhouse in Vienne when my Aunt Euphemia married your grandfather."

Harry nodded, "Indeed."

"Euphemia was the middle child, the only girl and certainly not an heiress like Daphne," Cygnus reasoned, "Therefore, whatever the Potter family is gifted from us now must be far more significant."

"And which of your properties do you feel Daphne would appreciate most?" Harry asked calmly.

"We have a manor house on the island of Hydra in Greece," Cygnus answered honestly.

"Daphne has always had an affinity with Greece, and this island has always been her favoured holiday location. Do you know anything about the history of Hydra?"

Harry shook his head, "No, I don't," he admitted.

"It was nicknamed "Little England" for a time due to its prosperity with shipbuilding. Our manor was built there by an ancestor who was a sea captain. That was how we turned ourselves into a legitimate shipping company, with the aid of the East India Company, of course."

Harry was quite fascinated by the snippet of their family history and rather honoured to hear it too because he knew how guarded the Greengrass's were about family secrets and their family history by extension.

"In time, change meant that the shipbuilding industry in Hydra died off and moved to close-by larger islands, and the population declined. Now the island is barely inhabited, it is quiet, and Daphne has made friends with the locals. She finds it to be a very relaxing retreat."

"I appreciate the thought you have put into this, Cygnus," Harry remarked, "And I am sure that it will be a welcome gift."

"There will be a cash sum too, of course," Cygnus added.

"Of course," Harry nodded.

"What did the Potter family receive upon Euphemia's marriage into it?" Cygnus asked.

Harry was so grateful that Lucius had forced him to memorise that contract before he came here for supper.

"250,000 Galleons," Harry replied.

Cygnus nodded, "In which case, we shall write up Daphne's dowry for 500,000 Galleons."

Harry raised an eyebrow, "That is far too much, Cygnus, and you know it."

Cygnus raised a hand, "Hear me out. Consider half of the money to be Daphne's inheritance, and the other half is for you to restore Potter Manor to more than a 'suitable' standard, as you said over supper earlier. Suitable is not good enough for Daphne. It will be restored and improved until it is fit for her so that she may continue to live in the manner with which she is accustomed."

Harry was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Very well. What do you want from me in return?"

Cygnus leant back in his chair, "An heir."

Harry chuckled, "Of course."

"A male one, preferably," Cygnus added.

"Again – unsurprising," Harry confessed. He leant forward in his chair, "Daphne is aware that our marriage would require two children, ideally two sons, but I assume you understand why the firstborn would, of course, be the Potter heir, and the second the Greengrass heir."

"Naturally," Cygnus replied, "But it will be written in the contract that your second-born son, or failing the birth of a second son, your second-born child shall be the heir."

Harry nodded, "I get the feeling there's something more you want though, am I right?"

"Indeed," Cygnus said, his observant eyes on Harry, "I would like your support in ensuring that Greengrass Shipping maintains the monopoly we currently have on importing and exporting into the British wizarding world."

"You want to use my name and my face for publicity?" Harry asked, leaning back in his chair, "The Man-Who-Turned, it's a big draw, right? You want me on Daphne's arm on public occasions? You want me to throw parties at Potter Manor and flash the company name around?"

Cygnus smiled, "Ah, I am glad to see we are on the same page."

Harry smiled broadly, "Do you want to know the best part? Lucius predicted everything you said tonight – everything you would want from me and everything you would offer me for Daphne."

"Damn that insufferable Malfoy," Cygnus said distastefully.

Harry chuckled and picked up his quill, "Shall we sign, then?"

"We shall."

Before joining the rest of the family in the drawing-room, Harry made a pit-stop by Astoria's bedroom. He knocked on the door, and after a moment, she opened it.

Her wide, blue eyes took him in silently, and Harry smiled kindly at her, "Could we talk, Astoria? I know what you went through was awful, but I think I might understand it more than you know."

Astoria pulled the door back, enough for Harry to walk into her room, then she retreated inside.

Harry stepped in, watching with concern as she sat in an armchair by the fire.

Her knees were drawn up underneath her, she had black marks beneath her eyes, and she was far too skinny.

"When I was your age, I got tortured too," Harry said softly. He sat down on the edge of her bed, "I had the cruciatus curse used on me, and I didn't feel right for at least a week afterwards. I ached; I felt like I'd been hit by the Knight Bus."

Astoria gave him a slight nod.

"But that wasn't the worst part, I could live with the pain, I'm kinda used to it," Harry admitted with a shrug, "It was the nightmares that were the worst, the lack of sleep, the constant feeling of exhaustion. You know what that's like, don't you?"

Astoria nodded, casting her gaze into the fire once more.

"Every time I closed my eyes, I would see it, and I would re-live it," Harry murmured, "And when I did fall asleep, I would wake up screaming and sweating."

She looked over at him, her eyes curious, and Astoria bit her lip, "Harry," she whispered.

Harry leant forward, "Yeah?"

"How did you make it stop?" Astoria asked, and the desperation in her voice was heart-breaking.

Harry knew she was 15, but she seemed younger. She appeared younger than he had felt at that age – then again, Harry had always felt like he'd been forced to grow up too fast.

"I faced it," Harry answered honestly, "Because that is the only way to get over your fears. You have to face them, and you have to do the hardest thing. You have to get up every day and pretend it's okay, and pretend that you're okay. You go to school, you focus on your classes, and you start to forget because every day that you are living your life, you are showing the person who did that to you that they failed and you won – that you're still living, and that's how you face it."

Astoria swallowed and looked down, "I'm scared to come back to school," she admitted.

"I know you are," Harry said, "But there are lots of people at Hogwarts who care about you and who I hope you trust. Do you trust my friend, Lily?"

Astoria nodded, "She's in my house, and she's the Head Girl."

"And she'll look after you," Harry promised, "If you need to talk to her about anything, she'll be there, and Daphne will be there."

Astoria bit her lip again.

"And I'll be there, Astoria," Harry said, "You can use the head common room to talk to Daphne, or me, whenever you like. If you need space or quiet, you can use it, and if anyone threatens you in any way, they will have me to answer to."

With surprise in her eyes, Astoria looked up, "Really?"

"Really," Harry promised, "I may be proposing to your sister, but she takes the family motto very seriously, and by extension, I do too. I've promised to protect Lydia, even though she's on the other side, and I won't let anything happen to you either, I promise."

Astoria swallowed and got to her feet. She walked across the room and hugged Harry tightly, "Thank you," she whispered as tears fell from her cheeks.

Harry smiled sadly and hugged her back, "You're welcome."

When Cygnus and Harry reconvened and entered the grand, golden parlour, both Daphne and Lareina looked up in surprise.

Daphne murmured to Harry, "That was incredibly quick."

At the same time, Lareina frowned at her husband and signed, "How quick. Did you change your mind?"

Cygnus smiled and signed back, "No, he was just very agreeable."

Harry murmured to Daphne, "There was nothing to debate."

Daphne raised an eyebrow at him, and Harry smiled, "Would you care to take a walk with me?"

"Of course," Daphne said, taking his outstretched hand and throwing a smile back at her parents as they left the room.

"What do you mean, there was nothing to debate?" Daphne asked. They exited through the front door, and Daphne steered him around the side of the house towards a large, frozen lake.

"Everything that your father requested was fairly predictable," Harry confessed, "I suspect negotiating a business agreement with him would be far more difficult. However, as all he was interested in today was ensuring your happiness, there was little to debate because that is all I want too."

Daphne smiled slightly, "What did he offer you then?"

"The manor house in Greece, he said it was your favourite," Harry answered.

Daphne's eyes lit up, "Oh, it is! It is so quaint and quiet. I love to go there when I need to think. The courtyard is full of fruit trees, and it is beautiful in the summer."

Harry smiled, her happiness bleeding through to him, "Maybe we should go there for our honeymoon."

Daphne eyed him with interest, "You agreed on a timescale, I presume?"

"Summer," Harry answered, "He was vague about the specifics, but you know how these marriages tend to go."

"Straight out of school into a wedding gown," Daphne agreed with a nod, "I expected nothing less, to be honest. What else did he offer?"

"500,000 Galleons," Harry replied.

Daphne's eyes widened, "What? That's a ridiculous amount!"

"I know, and I told him as much," Harry admitted, "But after he explained his reasoning, it made sense. Half is your inheritance which you will keep, obviously."

Daphne frowned, "No, Harry – it's paid to you."

"I know," Harry replied, "But the Potter family are rich enough. I don't need it so it can go into your personal account and be your money. I never want you to have to ask me for permission if you want something, Daphne. A woman of your position should be able to do what she wants and buy what she wants."

"How generous of you," Daphne said, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she smiled at him.

Harry smiled back, "The other half is to restore and improve Potter Manor to, and I quote your father here, make sure Daphne can maintain the manner of living with which she is accustomed.So we will do it together."

Daphne raised an eyebrow, "I knew you were different, but how forward-thinking."

Harry chuckled, "I'm of the new order, Daphne. I appreciate our traditions and our culture, but that doesn't mean I'm a fan of our ingrained sexism."

"Oh, and he's a feminist too," Daphne joked, "Well, you really are the full package."

"Apart from the snake on my arm, again, I'm quoting your father here," Harry added.

"He said that?" Daphne asked in disbelief.

"Almost exactly that, yes. He suggested you were too naïve to see me for who I truly am, but I told him about our conversation at Yule," Harry said.

"I meant what I said at Yule, Harry," Daphne said, stopping by the edge of the look and catching his eye, "I know exactly what I'm walking into, and I am still willing to do it. As Theo always used to say, we only live once."

Harry smiled a little sadly and kissed her on the cheek, "We do," he agreed.

"Did you speak to Astoria?" Daphne asked curiously.

"I did," Harry answered, "She actually spoke, which is rare these days, I gather?"

"It was always rare. She's timid," Daphne said, looking at Harry with concern, "What did she say?"

"Not much, but she is coming back to school after the holidays," Harry answered, "And she knows that there are people at Hogwarts who care about her and will always have her back."

Daphne smiled radiantly and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck to kiss him properly, "Thank you," she murmured before claiming his lips with her own.

~ TBC ~